I’m attempting to write without as much dialogue. The beginning has tons like my other chapters but an English teacher told me I make my characters talk too much, so after the beginning I wrote with more descriptions. Did I do okay? I’m so worried about what others think, it should be a sickness.

…Maybe it is a sickness. Hm…

Um, sexual content as well as sexual frustration in this chapter. Don’t read it if you don’t like that stuff.

Kiss of Darkness

Chapter 19

The whole walk home, Alexander had not spoken a word. If not for his arm around her waist to keep her warm, Ali would have thought he was intentionally ignoring her. The man stayed quiet as well, flinching as he walked, blood dripping to the snow silently with each step he took.

Every few minutes, Ali looked behind her to make sure he was still there and hadn’t dropped and given up. The man forced a smile for her each time, trying to assure her that he was fine when he obviously was not. Their kind seemed to heal quickly and have a very high tolerance for pain, so perhaps she was overreacting.

When they reached Ali’s house, Alex opened the door and found Kenny with his head on the table, snoring loud enough to shake the windows. He slipped past the sleeping man and went straight to the downstairs bathroom. As the facet turned on and the sound of rushing water filled the air, Ali walked next to Kenny and tapped his shoulder, who opened his eyes and looked at her with a sleepy smile.

“Ah, Alianna, how nice to see you’re back. Mr. Boudreaux wasn’t too much of a hassle, I trust? He seemed awfully worried…” The man trailed off as he took in her appearance. “What in the world happened to you?”

She shook her head. “Long story.”

Kenny looked at the man near the door, and nodded. “Why is his blood all over you?”

“I found him. He was bleeding and said he needed blood.” Alex came out of the bathroom carrying a washcloth, which he used to wipe the blood off of Ali’s arm, tentatively so as not to hurt her. He examined the two bite marks then ran his tongue over them, causing her to shiver. As the wound closed, she continued her explanation to Kenny. “I gave him my blood.”

“And Alexander Boudreaux saw,” the man added. “I had to stop.”

Kenny looked surprised. “I’m surprised he didn’t rip your head clean off your neck. I’m guessing it was Alianna who stopped him?”

The man nodded.

“What is your name?” Alex asked, speaking for the first time in over 15 minutes.

“Tristian.” He replied.

“Why are you in my territory?”

“Territory?” Ali asked. “Since when?”

Alex didn’t look at her, instead going back to examining her arm which was completely healed and clean. “I took Redhaven as my own territory after I realized that you were mine.”

She blushed at his words but said nothing. He was speaking and she didn’t want to say anything to upset him.

“Forgive me,” Tristian said, bowing slightly and wincing. “I was being chased by a band of three and did not know exactly where I was headed. I only needed a place to hide.”

“Band of three?” Alex asked, looking up from Ali’s arm again. “What band of three?”

“Three vampires. They attacked from behind and gave me these wounds then chased after me and I took shelter here.” He coughed, covering his mouth with his hand and when he removed it there was a puddle of blood in his palm.

Ali went to help but Alex tightened his grip on her arm and stopped her. She glared at him and said, “He needs blood, shelter, and a shower. He can talk afterwards.”

The elder vampire seemed reluctant when he let her go and she heard him growl as soon as she took a step forward but didn’t hesitate in grabbing Tristian’s arm and leading him to the upstairs bathroom because the downstairs one didn’t have a shower. “I’ll get you some blood somehow but for now just try to wash up as best you can.” When she entered the bathroom, she opened one of the cabinets and pulled out a first aid kit. “This is all I have…”

“That will be fine. Thank you so much, Miss Alianna.” He bowed and winced.

“Call me Alianna, please. It’s so weird having everyone refer to me as ‘Miss’”.

He bowed again and she turned around and closed the door.

When she went back downstairs, Kenny and Alex were sitting at the table. Alex didn’t look at her and Kenny looked grim.

“What the heck is wrong with you?” she asked Alex.

“I can’t expect you to understand,” he answered.

She looked at Kenny for an answer but he stood up and walked to the door, putting on his jacket and boots. “Sorry, I can’t join in this conversation.”

After he left, she pulled out the seat he had previously occupied and sat down, glaring at the elder vampire. “Talk to me. Why did you freak out like that for no reason?”

“No reason?” he asked, and then repeated it, louder, his expression showing his rage. “There was a reason. You are my mate, Ali.”

She didn’t understand what that had to do with anything so he continued, trying to keep his voice quiet and his emotions level. “Taking blood is an extremely intimate experience.”

“There was nothing intimate about that exchange, Alex.”

“Not to you. You forget that I can read the minds of others, ma chérie. I knew exactly what was going through his head as he bit you and tasted you.” Darkness flickered through his eyes when he looked up at her. It was possessive, frightening. “Blood lust and desire stand apart by only a thread. They are so closely linked that most of the time, the two come together. When the blood lust rises, the lust for sex follows. I knew exactly what he wanted from you.”

Ali stayed quiet after that, guilt flooding her. She hadn’t seen it that way but now she understood Alex’s dark mood. He was, in all honesty, jealous. Alex huffed at her thought but didn’t comment. She apologized hastily and stood, kissing him on the cheek. He looked up at her then grabbed her waist and pulled her onto his lap, nuzzling her neck in forgiveness. After all, she was only human and couldn’t have known.

“Oh! He needs clothes!” She heard Alex growl and his grip on her tightened before she could get up. “Come on, Alex. You are my mate, not him. I’ll always choose you, no matter what.” She turned her head to look back at him and he stared into her eyes.

“If he touches you, I’ll burn him alive,” he snarled.

She rolled her eyes and got off him once his grip loosened but he grabbed her arm and pulled her down to his level, kissing her deeply and passionately. When he released her, she was panting and her legs were wobbly but she managed to stumble up the steps as he watched her, satisfied.

--

Tristian had walked out of the bathroom wearing one of Alex’s t-shirts and a pair of his pants. He was practically drowning in them; he was so skinny. Ali had asked if he wanted them to find something different but the vampire had seemed very grateful for what she had done so far. They had gotten him blood after Alex had dialed Kenny and now Tristian was busy sucking on a bag of AB+.

Ali watched him in amazement as the bag quickly emptied and a new one replaced it. “What does it taste like?” she asked when he’d finished his third.

“Blood,” he answered, biting into another one.

“I’ve tasted blood and I wouldn’t want to be sucking it out of a bag, let alone out of a person, cup, or whatever else you can think of.”

Tristian shrugged, tugging at the bottom of Alex’s shirt to smooth it out a bit. When he was finished, he put the bag down on the plate with the others so the left over blood wouldn’t stain her table. It seemed like the blood was helping a lot; Alex’s shirt didn’t look that big on him anymore. “I can’t really say it tastes like anything else. Blood wasn’t good when I was human, not that I remember a lot from that time. It just kind of grows on you when you need it to stay alive.”

“So you can’t say it tastes like chicken like everything else supposedly does?”

He laughed at that and brought the plate to the garbage but before he could throw it out, Alex snatched it from his hands after turning a corner and carried it back to the table. “I’d rather not have humans see blood bags in her garbage. I’ll have Kenny burn them later.”

Tristian gave in without a fight and sat back down.

“How do you feel?” Ali asked.

“As good as new.” He lifted his shirt, showing off his unmarked skin.

Her jaw dropped and she reached a hand out to see if what she was seeing wasn’t just an illusion but stopped short and looked at Alex who was pretending he hadn’t noticed. He seemed so tense, wound up to a breaking point that he might soon cross. She dropped her head and looked away, ashamed.

His apology carried through her mind but she ignored it. He had every right to be mad. If he had touched another woman, she’d probably be in his place. Except for the fact that she didn’t have the ability to rip someone apart with her bare hands. She sighed and put her chin down on the table, her gaze going to the stove. The clock on it said that it was 6:30 in the morning.

Groaning, she slid away from the table, dragging her tired body upright. “I’m going to go to sleep.” Thank goodness it was a Saturday so she didn’t have to worry about school. “I don’t have another bed. If you want to take mine, you can.”

Tristian shook his head. “No, I can sleep on the couch.”

“You’re injured!”

“Not anymore.”

Sighing and admitting defeat, she looked at Alex who read her mind and nodded. “I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

When she was gone he moved around the table and looked Tristian dead in the eye. “If you touch her-“

“You’ll burn me alive. I heard Alianna thinking about it after you said it.” He nodded in acknowledgement and said, “I won’t touch her. I respect that she is your mate. But have you finished the mating process?”

Alex didn’t answer, just clenched his fists. He’d had every opportunity to ask her but he felt that she might not be ready. He didn’t want to scare her with declarations of ‘forever and ever’. Tristian didn’t comment on his silence but Alex knew what he was thinking without needing to read his mind:

He’d better do it soon. If not, more vampires would come sniffing around.

--

Alex opened the door and his heart practically melted at the sight of Ali lying on her stomach, spread out width wise on the bed, her arms and legs limp and her heart thudding softly and calmly. He closed the door and walked to her, turning her over gently. He removed her clothes without waking her then moved her so her head was on the pillows.

She mumbled something unintelligible and reached down as if looking for the blankets. He covered her and she stopped moving, her body settling down once more into deep sleep. He lifted his shirt over his head and threw it on the floor, joining her under the covers.

Immediately, she rolled over on her side, an arm going over his waist lazily as she nuzzled against his skin. Never in his long life had he been so aware of someone’s presence. He could feel her skin on his, her slightest move making his pulse hitch. Her warmth was all around him and her breath tickled his shoulder. Her thoughts and dreams swirled in his head, louder than all the others no matter how far she was. When she touched him, fire danced along his skin and when she kissed him, the sweetness of her lips made the fire dance within him.

It was so hard to keep from pouncing on her when he pleasured her with his hands and mouth. She felt so good and tasted as delicious as her blood. He imagined how it would feel to sheath himself in her warm, wet heat. The tightness would probably make him lose his mind and then he’d be lost to his animalistic nature. He’d take her fast and hard, ramming into her until she screamed his name.

And then he would fully mate with her. They would exchange blood and complete the ritual that would forever mark her as his and only his. God, he’d never wanted anything more. He wanted her, needed her. Body, soul, mind, and blood. Everything. And she would take what was his and make it hers just like he would do. They would be bound forever. Or at least until she died…

Pain hit him, white hot and searing. It raced through his blood and squeezed his heart. He didn’t want to lose her. He’d been with her for only a few months but he was happier than he’d been in hundreds of years. Sure, he’d been with others but this was his mate. His mate. The one being on Earth that was his other half.

He pulled her closer to him, buried his face in her hair and didn’t want to ever let go.

--

Ali opened her eyes slowly. It was still dark out so either she didn’t sleep for long or she had slept all day. The clock said that it was 10pm so it must have been the latter. She yawned and stretched. Alex’s scent was still on the sheets and she buried under the covers and inhaled deeply. He always smelled so good. It was definitely the scent of a man, but he had an earthy smell to him as well.

After a few minutes, she rose and walked into the bathroom. She hadn’t remembered getting undressed last night but she didn’t remember much else after she hit the mattress. She took a long relaxing shower, dried off, and wrapped herself in a towel. She then brushed her teeth and her hair and walked out. The house was fairly quiet and she wondered where everyone was.

It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if Alex had gone off again; he had business to attend to elsewhere. But surely Tristian would be up and moving. There was no television on, no voices, nothing. She walked down the steps and looked around. No one was in the kitchen or the dining room. She moved to the living room and stopped dead.

At least fifteen men were there, completely silent and unmoving. The couch and two loveseats were filled and the rest stood, though three were sitting on the floor, Tristian and Kenny included. Alex was standing near the far wall, Tristian near his one side, Kenny near the other, and all the men were facing the three. She waited for someone to say something, anything, but they all just stood there quietly.. It didn’t even look as if they breathed.

None of them noticed her so she carefully backed up, only to hit a chair on her way. It only made a small sound but all of the men turned to look at her. Their nostrils flared together and their eyes trailed over her body, making her realize that she had yet to get dressed, but none made a move.

Alex moved away from the group and walked to her. “What are you doing?”

“I thought everyone had left and I came down here to check. Why is everyone so quiet?”

“We were speaking through our minds. Go back upstairs.”

He made a move like he was going to drag her up if she refused, so she stepped back and clutched the towel to her. “Wait, what are they doing here?”

“They are the vampire council, so to speak. Now, please, Ali. Go upstairs.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Alex sighed and grabbed her arm, leading her back to where she came from. She looked back and noticed every pair of eyes was following her before she rounded the corner and started up the stairs. “They are here because someone has been killing people in Redhaven.”

“What? Since when?”

“A few days ago. I didn’t want you to worry so I didn’t tell you.” Ali went to comment but he cut her off, turning her into her bedroom and closing the door behind him. “We believe it is the same three vampires that attacked Tristian which is why he was there in the first place.” Vampires not in the council rarely got to meet with them.

“How many people have died?”

“About 67.”

Her eyes widened and a hand flew to her mouth. “W-what?” She regretted not watching television; there would have been something on the news. Redhaven wasn’t too small of a town but 67 was a lot either way. All those families… “How have they died?”

“Major amount of blood loss, throats ripped out, bodies burned… A lot of it looks like it’s just for fun. Either it’s a lot of vampires or it’s those three doing it for shits and giggles.”

She looked down at the floor and rubbed her temples. “Who are they? The ‘band of three’.”

Alex shrugged and looked at the window, taking in the snow that coated the roof just outside. “We don’t know yet. They’re doing well with hiding their tracks. We can’t even sniff them out.” He stopped when he smelled Ali’s tears. He looked at her and tilted her chin up. “Why are you crying?”

“I… I just feel bad for the people and their families. I don’t get how anyone can be so cruel…”

He’d been that cruel a few times in his life. Going on killing sprees when life became too hard or when he tried to keep himself from drinking the blood of others and fell into bloodlust. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer to him, bending down to kiss her gently. “Don’t cry, ma chérie. We will find them and they will be punished.” He tasted her tears on her lips and kissed them away, his hand running through her hair.

She sniffled and pulled his head down to kiss him again. Her tongue slipped past his lips and he groaned as her sweetness filled his mouth. Something snapped inside him and he used his body to push her straight back until they hit the bed and he tumbled forward over her. She gasped and he bit down on her lower lip, making them both groan as her blood rushed into him, warming him from the inside out. He kissed her without mercy, ripping the towel out from under him. He pulled his shirt off and kissed her again, loving the feel of her soft skin against his.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, she heard him moan when she lifted her hips against him. She let her head fall back as he nibbled along her jawbone and nipped at her throat. He slipped a hand between them and slid a finger into her body, savoring the feeling and the sound of her heart pounding as her breath caught. He added another, working her, and earning a loud moan from her. When he began pumping his fingers into her she bucked her hips, yelling loudly in pleasure, her eyes squeezing shut as her warmth squeezed against his fingers.

The thought of her heat wrapped around his cock made it twitch with anticipation. He wanted to take her so badly and the thoughts from earlier only added to that need. As if she read his mind, she grabbed his arm and pushed him up. She then sat up and tugged down the zipper to his pants and freed him from their confines. Her small hand around him made him insane and he began thrusting into her palm, sweat breaking out along his brow.

He pushed her hand away and grabbed her hips, pulling her closer to the edge of the bed. This was it. He was going to finally take her. Make her his forever.

A knock at the door sounded but he ignored it. Ali looked at him, her eyes pleading him to take her. And he would gladly oblige.

Another knock made him growl. “What?” he asked, louder than he needed to.

“Can you come here for a second, Mr. Boudreaux?” Kenny’s voice asked from the other side of the door.

“I’m busy!”

“The council is becoming restless.”

“Stall them.”

“They are becoming restless because they can smell the desire you two are giving off.”

“Then tell them to get the fuck out,” Alex snarled. He was wound up to that breaking point again, but this time the end result would be much different.

“I don’t have the authority to do that, Mr. Boudreaux.”

Alex looked down at Ali, taking in her flushed face, her pleading green eyes, her hard nipples and her soaking heat. She wanted him to stay and he could tell just from the way she was looking at him. “I’m sorry,” he said, then moved away from her and put his clothes on. Ali watched him without saying a word and he could hear the respect of his decision in her head. His people were important to him and humans in his territory should be safe. This could wait.

Pride swelled in him. She was his mate and she was perfect.

--

Alex opened the door and growled when Kenny’s pupils dilated and his irises turned red for the briefest of seconds. It was a reflex any vampire would have if the smell of their desire had hit him full in the face but Kenny handled it well, not moving an inch. The elder vampire walked past the other and kept his fists and jaw clenched to keep from punching him. It wasn’t Kenny’s fault whatsoever, but that didn’t keep Alex from wanting to knock him unconscious for pulling him away from his mate. “I was about to do the ceremony.”

“You were about to fuck her lights out,” Kenny said, bluntly.

That couldn’t be denied but he had been so close to taking her as his own. He just growled again and walked into the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” Kenny asked.

“What do you think?” Alex snarled, slamming the door in the younger vampire’s face.

--

Ali sighed and sat on her bed, cross-legged, feeling like she was in a daze. She’d tried before to get Alex to actually take her, but he seemed hesitant, scared every time she tried to touch him. He loved her hands on his body but once she went for his zipper he’d back away and wouldn’t let her touch him. He would always pleasure her anyway she wanted it but not once had she been able to give him back what he’d given her night after night after night.

A while ago she thought it might be because he was insecure but from what she saw hiding behind the confines of his pants whenever he touched her there was no way that was the case. And after tonight, seeing how she couldn’t even fit her hand fully around him, there was no doubt in her mind at all. She had begun to think that it was because he didn’t want to hurt her. But how could he possibly hurt her if she was only taking him into her mouth or her palm?

Tonight, she’d seen something in him when she’d touched him. His head went back and he began moving against her palm. When he had looked down at her, his eyes were blood red and his fangs were showing. He looked absolutely out of his mind with lust and when he grabbed her and dragged her to him, his grip was almost bruising but she was ready for it, for him.

After Kenny had interrupted them, Alex had looked at her with such desperation that her heart nearly tore in two. It wasn’t just sex he was after, that much she could tell. There was something else he wanted, something he craved more than anything else.

Ali looked up at the ceiling before crawling under the covers and waiting for Alex to return.

--

Alex shared his knowledge with the council, sending the information directly into their minds. The council rarely spoke, they didn’t need to. They were able to read his mind without much strain when he allowed them and he gave what he wanted and held back on what he didn’t want out.

The council had been discussing what they thought of Alex leaving them to go be with a human. They thought it was a disgrace but he had quieted them as soon as he had walked into the room with his mere presence. It was quite amusing how they feared him. There were many of them and they all were the eldest and wisest of their race, but it seemed his reputation preceded him. He was the second eldest in the group, only under Shambe, a tall dark skinned man who wore traditional African clothing, though even Shambe seemed to give off a slight hint of fear whenever Alex came around.

After he was finished with what little he knew, Tristian shared what had happened. He had been walking on the outskirts of Redhaven, looking for a quick meal, when he had been attacked from behind. Claws had raked at his back and hissing sounded from all around him. He had turned but no one was there.

Something hit him from the front, clawed at him, but all he saw was a blur. Blood hit the snow and that was when he ran. He could sense a strong power circling around him and knew that he’d be beat if he stayed to fight back.

At first there was only one. But then two more had joined in the attempt to kill him. There was no reason or warning for the attack, all he knew was that he had to get away. They attacked again and again, always no more than blurs and more blood was shed.

Once he had crossed into Alex’s territory, the band of three had backed off but their laughter from behind was still ringing in his head and he kept running. He hid in between two houses and waited, staying as silent as possible. The laughter trailed off and he passed out. He had woken up just as Ali was passing by his hiding place.

The council wondered what should be done. It was against vampire law to kill too many humans in one place, let alone another vampire’s territory. Vampires had a certain amount of kills allowed and once filled, they could not take any more lives in that month. This band of three had broken one law, and went over their amount of kills already, even when separated between the three of them.

Eventually, Alex had taken on the responsibility of finding and capturing the delinquents and the council would punish them as they saw fit.

The council trailed out of Ali’s house and went their separate ways. Alex turned and walked back into the kitchen, sitting down feeling worn out. He wanted to be with his mate, not dealing with this bullshit. But his people were important and if three were out killing humans, they could easily turn and begin killing their own race. They seemed young, rambunctious, and out of their minds with the lust for blood, possibly running on the power high of being newly turned. But if they were so young, how were they hiding so well? Perhaps an older vampire was helping them, teaching them the ropes.

He heard Kenny before he even got into the kitchen and turned to see the younger vampire walking towards him cautiously, as if he were afraid that Alex would suddenly lash out. That was probably smart since he still wanted to pounce on his mate.

“I offer my services in capturing this band of three,” he said, bowing his head slightly.

Alex nodded. “Thank you, I might need your help.” Kenny gave him a look and Alex raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“You can’t go up there,” he said. “You have to stay away from Alianna for the night.”

“What for? She’s my mate.”

“And she’s also a virgin and only 17.”

Alex froze and clenched his fists, guilt rising in his gut, lust hissing out of him like steam. What had he almost done? He’d been absolutely out of his mind and only now had he come to his senses. The reality was that he couldn’t have her now. He just couldn’t. Back when he was human, the people around him married and had children when they should have still been considered children themselves. But that was no longer the way of life.

He looked up at Kenny, his eyes pleading. Keep me from her. I won’t be able to stop myself from going to her again.

“Perhaps we should go hunting?” Kenny suggested, trying to distract Alex who looked as if he were ready to throw up.

Despite that, the elder vampire nodded and the two of them walked out of the house but Alex couldn’t help but look back at the house and wish he was with his mate.